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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2004-07-07
The Big Enchilada: The National Geographic photography internship
By Jim McNay, Brooks Institute of Photography
THE internship more students aspire to more than any other is the summer photography internship at National Geographic.
The Geographic is one of the most high profile organizations in the business. The work is displayed well. The stories covered are some of the most fascinating journalism done anywhere.
This internship is highly sought after. Several hundred portfolios are received. Only one photography internship is granted each year.
The application process is simple. Send a portfolio to: Ms. Susan Smith, Assistant Director of Photography, National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036. The time to submit portfolios is between January 1 and January 31.
One note: Students must be U.S. citizens or otherwise eligible to work legally in the U.S. to accept the internship.
Portfolios do not need to be elaborate. They do need to be professional and clean in their appearance. They need to show excellent work.
How many pictures? According to Director of Photography Kent Kobersteen, "There's no magic number. Do a tight edit. Show your best work. Omit weak work." Kobersteen adds, "Bear in mind that the overall impression of a portfolio is often dictated by the weakest photograph."
The best way to show the work, Kobersteen says, is with a slide portfolio or a CD or DVD, available to be viewed on both Mac and PC-based computers. Electronic slide show programs are fine, Kobersteen says, but remember, "The photographs are the important thing. Don't detract from the images with 'clever' dissolves, music, etc." Pictures posted on websites are NOT a substitute for sending pictures via slide portfolio or CD/DVD.
"We're looking for portfolios with strong photojournalism, compelling single photographs as well as photo essays, surprises, fresh seeing and original story ideas," Kobersteen says.
There is no requirement to have had previous internship experience. However it makes sense that other internships might well move a student's portfolio up the scale when it comes to picture making and training in successful photojournalism. This early preparation can go far in helping show someone is ready for a major opportunity.
There is further good news and bad news about the National Geographic internship application process. The good news is, the application process is open to any student in school. The bad news is, any student in school can apply, which means many portfolios are received. This internship is competitive. Some would say it is super-competitive. But any student photographer who thinks they are ready can toss their portfolio into the proverbial hat.
Most students will not be chasing the National Geographic internship only, but will have several lines in the water pursing other opportunities parallel to the Geographic, just in case this one does not pan out.
Once an intern is chosen and is living near headquarters in the Washington, D.C. area, the assignments photo interns receive can vary. Students will not be asked to shoot a major magazine assignment, overseas or in the U.S. Some have been asked to shoot a Zip Code assignment. However this is an opportunity to meet with some of the best editors and photographers in the business, and to learn their approach to photojournalism. As Kobersteen says, "It's a good opportunity for someone who is mature, dedicated and intelligent."
Whatever their eventual shooting assignment someone who lands this internship has an amazing opportunity that gives them insight and an understanding that might otherwise take years to achieve. The National Geographic internship is a serious leg up on a career, well worth the chance it takes to land it.
Bottom line: This IS the Big Enchilada. Chow down!
Photographers, particularly those in school or seeking to break into the photojournalism, are welcome to send ideas for future columns to Jim McNay at jim.mcnay@brooks.edu.
Questions about getting started in photojournalism that might be answered in future columns are also welcome.
Related Links:
Jim McNay's Member Page
Brooks NPPA Student Chapter
Brooks Institute of Photography
Related Email Addresses:
Jim McNay: jim.mcnay@brooks.edu
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